BEGINNERS GUIDE - SEIDO KARATE DEVONPORT

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s there are very
few.”
Shunryo Suzuki

We provide provide a safe and supportive training environment for members to

learn, and develop to their full potential, through the values, philosophies and
physical practice of Seido Karate. Whatever reasons prompted you to join, please
remember that only time and dedication will enable you to achieve your personal
goals - so the more you put into your training, the more you will get out of it.

Karate students train in bare feet. You do not need expensive clothes or gear to
train in. Wear comfortable clothes that will enable you to stretch, kick and punch.
After two or three classes, if you decide to train seriously, then you should purchase
a ‘gi’ (karate uniform).

What is Seido Juku Karate?

The World Seido Karate Organisation has its headquarters in New York, USA, with
branches worldwide. Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura is the head of the organisation.

Seido Juku karate was formed on 15 October 1976 in New York. This followed
Kaicho Nakamura’s respectful resignation from Kyokushinkai karate. Kaicho
wanted to recover the ‘original face’ of karate, and underpin physical training in the
art with a strong philosophical foundation.

The meaning of the words SEIDO JUKU reflect this desire. Sei means truth,
honesty or sincerity. Do means the way, road, or path to follow. Juku means
special or unique place. Therefore a Seido dojo (training hall) is seen by students
as a special place where we go to learn the sincere way of karate.

The word KARATE itself is made up of two Japanese characters - kara which
means ‘empty’ and te which means ‘hand’. This suggests an openness of attitude
and spirit that karate students should aspire to. As you train with us, the
philosophical meaning of the word karate will be more apparent and significant to
your everyday life.

Kaicho Nakamura’s philosophy is also represented by the plum blossom badge

that is worn on the left sleeve of the dogi (training uniform) of every Seido student.
This is Kaicho Nakamura’s family emblem. The three circles enclosed by the petals
stand for the values of love, respect and obedience. These are the three
underlying values of Seido Juku karate.

Love: unselfish, loyal and generous concern for the wellbeing of others.
Respect: the process of giving particular attention, consideration and esteem to
others. Respect for others is paramount in developing a caring and generous
attitude.
Obedience: adherence to the values (eg. love, respect, sincerity) that enable
everyone in society to flourish. As citizens of society we have duties and
responsibilities to other members of society.

This means that when you come to Seido Karate you will find a friendly and open
atmosphere, but nonetheless a seriousness of purpose about the training. Seido
Karate is for people of all ages, irrespective of ability. All you need to be is willing
to come and give 100% effort at each class.

Seido Karate provides a variety of strenuous exercises designed to teach you the
skills of karate, while at the same time progressively increasing your fitness and
strength. Initially the focus is on karate basics - hand and arm techniques, kicking,
and blocking. As you become more experienced, you will be expected to cope with
more complex combinations, pre-arranged sparring techniques with partners, self
defence exercises, the various kata (forms), and finally free sparring. These
activities are regularly interspersed with exercises such as pushups, situps and
bagwork, which are designed to increase muscle strength and stamina, but also to
build a strong spirit.

Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura

Kaicho Nakamura is a ninth dan (degree) black belt with fifty years of experience in
practising and teaching in the martial arts.

Kaicho was born on 22 February 1942, and began his karate training at age
eleven. His first experiences were in the Goju style under the instruction of Kei
Miyagi Sensei, the son of the founder of the style. In 1956, Kaicho began studying
with Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, and in 1959, he earned
his shodan rank. At the time, he was the youngest Kyokushin student in Japan to
receive a black belt.

In 1961, at age nineteen, Kaicho Nakamura debuted on the tournament scene with
a first place in the All-Japan Student Open Karate Championship. The following
year, he became a Japanese national hero by knocking out a Thai kickboxing
champion in a match to determine which nation had the superior martial art.

Around this time, Nakamura also began teaching karate to others. He served as
the chief instructor at Camp Zama, a U.S. military base near Tokyo, from 1961 to
1965 and coached the Toho Medical University karate team for 3 years. Nakamura
also served as the chief instructor at the Kyokushin Karate Honbu in Tokyo. In
1966, Nakamura was personally selected by Masutatsu Oyama to bring Kyokushin
karate to America. He moved to New York City and began teaching Kyokushin
Karate at a small dojo in Brooklyn. In 1971, Kaicho established the North American
Kyokushin Karate headquarters. He served as the American head of Kyokushin
Karate for a decade and trained and developed many skilled students in that
period. In 1976, Nakamura respectfully withdrew from Kyokushin Karate. The
same year, he established the World Seido Karate Organization.

Further information
You will find your fellow students a great source of information about Seido Karate,
karate and martial arts generally. However, further written information about Seido
Karate is available in Kaicho’s books. If you are interested in these, please ask
around students at the club and they will be able to help you either borrow or
purchase copies of these.

The books are:

The Human Face of Karate - an autobiography which covers Kaicho’s life through
until Seido Karate was about ten years old.

Technique and Spirit - a general text book on the history and philosophy of Seido,
and an overview of karate technique.

One Day, One Lifetime - a collection of Kaicho’s meditation lectures.

Karate Kyohan - an illustrated text book of karate basics.

Important Concepts

OSU
The word OSU is a shortened form of the Japanese word Oshi Shinobu which
means Keep Patience. This concept is very important for martial artists to
understand. Most people who study karate give up very easily and quickly, and will
find all kinds of reasons why they should not train. This is not the way to study the
martial arts. You must have strong patience, for this is how you overcome
difficulties - through a strong spirit and a strong osu. Within the dojo, it can be used
as a greeting or as a way to recognise that ‘I am here. I am trying hard, and I won’t
give up’. When you see a senior student, particularly a black belt, acknowledge
them by saying osu. This is not an act of subservience, but a recognition of their
knowledge, ability, and dedication to the particular martial art. Saying it loud and
clear also reaffirms your commitment to train hard and improve yourself.

DOJO
This is a name given to a training hall where karate (or any other martial art) is
practised. It is a special place where we learn and grow through our training. The
dojo has a shinzen at the front. This is the symbolic centre of the training hall and
when entering or leaving the dojo, face the shinzen , bow and say osu. This has no
religious implication whatsoever, but is based on a Japanese custom of respect -
respect to a place where people from all-walks-of-life, regardless of age, sex,
capability or background come together to learn a martial art.

KIAI
This is the loud yell we produce as we do our basic techniques hard and fast. One
of the most common questions a person asks when coming into contact with karate
for the first time is “Why do they shout when they kick or punch?” The same person
would probably not ask the same question when a discuss thrower shouts as he/
she throws the discuss or when a weight-lifter yells as he lifts his weight. A roar-like
shout is utilized in many sports today. In karate, it is the expression of a person’s
“ki” - their inner energy or spirit.

KIME (Focus)
To obtain maximum power, one must focus all one’s power at the moment of
impact. This is done by first relaxing the body, then only the muscles required to
perform the technique are brought into play, so that maximum acceleration can be
obtained. If any other muscles are tensed, they will have a braking effect and the
power in the technique will be reduced. At the moment of of impact, one exhales,
tenses the whole body and concentrates the mind so that they are one. The body is
then immediately relaxed in preparation for the next technique.

Terminology
Seido Karate uses Japanese terms and commands. Below is a selection of the
most important ones, as used in Seido, with their meanings.

SHUSEKI SHIHAN - Title means ‘Head or Chief’ of Regional Area.

SHIHAN - Title means ‘Master’ and is given to sixth degree black belts.

KYOSHI - Title means ‘Senior Teacher’ and is given to fifth degree black belts.

SENSEI - Title means ‘Teacher’ and is given to fourth degree black belts.

SENPAI - Title means ‘Senior’ and is given to first, second and third degree black
belts. It may also be used less formally between kyu grades, to address someone
more senior than them, even if the other student is not a black belt.

Basic Terms
Gi - Karate Uniform
Obi - Belt
Kata - Form
Kumite - Sparring
Uke - Block
Tsuki - Strike
Geri - Kick
Gyaku - Reverse
Kiai - Yell
Migi - Right
Hidari - Left
Mae - Front
Ushiro - Back
Soto - Outside
Uchi - Inside
Dachi - Stance
Ibuki - Exhaling strongly
Shinzen - Focal point of the dojo

Basic Stances
Heisoku dachi - Parallel closed stance
Musubi dachi - Open-toes Stance
Heiko dachi - Parallel Open Stance
Fudo dachi - Normal/Ready Stance
Shiko dachi - Sumo Stance
Kiba dachi - Horse riding Stance
Zenkutsu dachi - Forward Leaning Stance
Kokutsu dachi - Back Leaning Stance
Tsuruashi dachi - Crane Stance
Sanchin dachi - Pigeon-toe Stance
Nekoashi dachi - Cat Stance
Kake dachi - Hooked Stance

Commands
Shinzen ni rei - Bow to the shinzen
Mokuso - Close eyes
Hajime - Begin
Kaicho ni rei - Bow to Kaicho
Mokuso yame - Open eyes
Kiai-te - Do techniques with a shout
Shihan ni rei - Bow to the Masters
Mawatte - Turn around
Naore - Return to ready position
Sensei ni rei - Bow to the Teacher
Seiza - Go into the kneeling position
Yame - Return to relaxed position
Senpai ni rei - Bow to the Senior
Yoi - Ready to begin
Kametae - Move into the stance
Otogai ni rei - Bow to each other
Rei - Standing Bow

Counting
Ichi - One
Ni - Two
San - Three
Shi/Yon - Four
Go - Five
Roku - Six
Shichi - Seven
Hachi - Eight
Ku - Nine
Ju - Ten
Ni-ju - Twenty
San-ju - Thirty
Yon-ju - Forty
Go-ju - Fifty
Roku-ju - Sixty
Nanna-ju - Seventy
Hachi-ju - Eighty
Ku-ju - Ninety
Hyaku - One hundred

Parts of the Body

Ago - Jaw
Ganmen - Face
Ken - Fist
Koken - Wrist
Hiji - Elbow
Atama - Head
Ashi - Leg
Goshi - Hip
Hiza - Knee
Uraken - Inverted Fist
Kin - Groin
Tai - Body
Jodan - Head Level
Chudan - Solar Plexus/Abdomen Level
Gedan - Groin Level
Chusoku - Ball of Foot
Haisoku - Instep
Kaka - Heel
Sokuto - Foot Edge
Teisoku - Arch of Foot
Seiken - Forefist
Tettsui - Edge of fist
Shuto - Knifehand
HaitoInner - Knifehand
Shotei - Palm Heel

Basic Strikes
Seiken chudan tsuki - Forefist Middle Thrust
Seiken Jodan tsuki - Forefist Upper Thrust
Seiken ago uchi - Forefist Jaw Strike
Seiken mawashi uchi - Forefist Roundhouse Strike
Uraken shomen uchi - Inverted Fist Strike
Uraken sayu uchi - Inverted Fist Side Strike
Uraken hizo uchi - Inverted Fist Spleen Strike
Uraken shita tsuki - Inverted Fist Low Strike
Uraken mawashi uchi - Inverted Fist Roundhouse Strike
Shuto ganmen uchi - Knife Hand Temple Strike
Shuto sakotsu uchi - Knife Hand Collarbone Strike
Shuto sakotsu uchi komi - Kinfe Hand Driving Strike
Shuto hizo uchi - Knife Hand Spleen Strike
Hiji jodan ate - Upper Elbow Strike
Hiji chudan ate - Middle Elbow Strike
Hiji age uchi - Rising Elbow Strike
Hiji oroshi uchi - Descending Elbow Strike
Gyaku tsuki - Reverse Punch
Basic Kicks
Mae geri - Front snap kick
Yoko geri - Side kick above the waist
Kansetsu geri - Side kick to the knee
Mawashi geri - Roundhouse kick
Ushiro geri - Back kick
Hiza geri - Knee kick
Kin geri - Groin kick
Mae keage - Front Straight-leg kick
Yoko keage - Side Straight-leg kick
Kake geri - Hook Kick Soto
Mawashi Geri - Outside crescent kick
Uchi Mawashi Geri - Inside crescent kick

The Grading System in Seido Karate

The grading system in Seido Karate has ten grades (kyu) of belts that one must
attain before going for a black belt rank (dan).

The ten kyu are:

COMMON TERM KYU GRADE BELT COLOR
White Belt/Beginner 10th Kyu White Belt
Advanced White 9th Kyu White Belt with Tip
Blue 8th Kyu Blue Belt
Advanced Blue 7th Kyu Blue Belt with Tip
Yellow 6th Kyu Yellow Belt
Advanced Yellow 5th Kyu Yellow Belt with Tip
Green 4th Kyu Green Belt
Advanced Green 3rd Kyu Green Belt with Tip
Brown 2nd Kyu Brown Belt
Advanced Brown 1st Kyu Brown Belt with Tip

Gradings take place several times a year, and are opportunities for students to
demonstrate in a more pressurized situation what they have learnt. Upon
successful completion of gradings, students are awarded their new belts.

At levels up to green belt, students need to have learnt the required syllabus, and
trained regularly for three months to be eligible to grade. From green belt on,
students need to train regularly for a minimum of six months, including sparring
sessions. In practice, this means it is likely to take a minimum of 3 and half years
before reaching 1st kyu. After spending at least another year and a half at first kyu,
a student who has trained sufficiently hard and developed their skills satisfactorily
may be invited to prepare for the demanding first degree (shodan) black belt
grading.

ETIQUETTE AND FORMALITIES

As Seido Karate is a Japanese martial art, the dojo formalities and etiquette are
also based on Japanese customs, though much of our etiquette is simply common
courtesy. Bowing in the dojo is not an act of subservience and has no religious
implications either. Karate is a disciplined art so bowing is like saluting an officer in
the army or navy in western culture. It is important also to remember that we have
etiquette because Seido Karate is a martial art, and not a health club or gym. It is
important when training in potentially dangerous techniques that we are very aware
of the others that we train with, and exercise control and self control. Our etiquette
reminds us of this.

Using the etiquette may feel strange at first. However, as you train with us, you will
become more comfortable with it. You will begin to understand how the formalities
help to provide a framework within which we can train with freedom, and you will
also learn the more specific historical roots of some of these points of etiquette.
Like much of karate, the best way to learn etiquette is by copying more senior
students.

Entering and exiting the dojo

Get changed into your gi, or if you do not have one yet, your training clothes. Turn
your mobile phone off.

Bow and say “osu” when entering and exiting the dojo. If higher graded people
enter the dojo with you, you should let them go first. Respect to Kaicho (Head of
Seido), a Shihan, Sensei or Senpai is paramount. Therefore, as you come in,
check to see if grades senior to you are already inside the room. If they are,
acknowledge them also with the word osu.

Being late
Always try to be at class on time, because it disrupts the class when someone is
late. However, there are times when being late is unavoidable for genuine
reasons, so being late to class is better than not being there at all. If you are late,
get changed, come into the room and sit in seiza by the door. Ensure that you are
facing away from the shinzen, but that your back is not facing it, and wait to be
acknowledged to join the class by the instructor. When the instructor asks you to
join the class, answer by saying “osu senpai/sensei” as appropriate. Sometimes,
you may be asked to do few press-ups or some other exercise before you join the
class. This is not a punishment, but a way of saying to the rest of the class “I’m
sorry I’m late, but I’m here now to train hard with you”. When joining in, go to your
normal place in the line up.

Lining up
When asked to line up, do it quickly and quietly.

Line up in order of grade. If someone is the same grade then line up in the order of
date graded. If you graded on the same date, then line up by age (eldest first).

When lining up ensure that you are not standing (or kneeling) forward of your
senior grade. This means the lines will be straight, but on a very slight diagonal.

When kneeling for the greet always go onto the left knee first then right. Kyu grades
should not kneel before the black belts.

Etiquette during class

First and foremost: karate classes are not like classes at a gym or health club.
Therefore, you cannot just take a break or leave when you are tired. You should
not just grab water or a towel to wipe yourself down whenever you feel like it.
Instructors are sensitive to the fact that during particularly tough classes some
students may struggle, and will build in breaks if appropriate. However, if you
genuinely need something such as water, follow the first point of etiquette in the list
below.

● If you wish to ask a question during class, wait for an appropriate moment and
say osu to attract attention.
● Before and after you do an activity with a partner in class, you both bow and say
‘osu’ as a mark of respect to each other.
● Always ‘osu’ when a black belt enters the dojo or walks past you. This an
acknowledgement of their experience and dedication.
● If you cannot train for the whole duration of the class, then arrange ahead of time
with the instructor of that class to be excused at the requested time. The instructor
will then ask you to leave the class at an appropriate time so that you do not disrupt
the class when doing so.
● Don’t chat in class unless asked, especially not when the instructor is speaking.
However, it is perfectly OK to provide encouragement to your partners and other
students during training.
● When moving to your place during the class always go around the class, never
cut through the middle of a line. Always go behind seniors, rather than in front.
● When told to partner up always partner your senior grade first. If they have a
partner then partner your nearest junior grade.
● When in partners the junior partner should always be the one to collect and
return the equipment e.g. punching bags. When joining or leaving your partner
always greet and shake hands as a way of thanking them for the opportunity to
work out together.
● When told to sit down in class sit seiza unless told to sit relaxed.
● When watching other students, stand in fudo dachi stance - ie. ready to be called
into action if necessary. Do not lean on the walls.
● When addressed in class personally acknowledge that you have heard by
answering “osu senpai/sensei”. This is also a way of appreciating the fact that your
instructor has taken interest in seeing that you do the techniques properly. There is
nothing worse than being ignored in class, especially when you have been doing
the techniques incorrectly.
● If you need to tidy up your gi, preferably wait until told to by the instructor. When
tidying up go down onto your left knee and ensure that you are facing away from
the shinzen but that your back is not facing the shinzen.
● When another class is to follow, grab your bags and any equipment as quickly
as possible so you do not have to interrupt that class after it has begun.

Keeping the dojo clean

Dojo comes from a word meaning “place of enlightenment”. We respect it by
keeping it clean
and tidy.

● If the dojo floor is particularly dirty from previous classes held during the day in
our room, it is the responsibility of senior kyu grades to take responsibility for either
sweeping the floor or else arranging for everyone to wipe the floor with rags, as is
done at the end of class (see below).
● As soon as an instructor with a key to the cupboard has arrived, students should
get all the equipment and set it up as quickly as possible. At the end of class, all
equipment and gear should be removed from the dojo floor after the class and put
away.
● It is a tradition that the dojo floor is wiped with rags after class. Class has not
finished until this task has been completed. It is the responsibility of the senior kyu
grade in the class to start the cleaning of the floor.

Personal etiquette
Always keep your gi washed and tidy. A gi that smells of stale sweat is not pleasant
for other students, especially if the class ends up practising grappling or ground
wrestling techniques. Your gi must be washed if it has blood on it. It is not
necessary to iron your uniform, but if it is particularly crumpled then this might be a
good idea. Repair any rips or tears in the gi as soon as possible.

No jewellery is to be worn during class as it may injure you or another person.

Fingernails and toenails should always be kept short.

Personal hygiene must be maintained. Remember that in karate we are often in

very close contact with other people, and therefore that normal social etiquette is
particularly important.
Ensure your hands are washed before class, that you have deoderant on, and if
your lunch was particularly smelly, that you’ve brushed your teeth!

Sparring etiquette

In Seido, students do not generally spar until they have reached green belt (4th
kyu).

Dojo sparring is not about who is the best. Instead it is an opportunity to exchange
techniques so that everyone can learn and develop. It is the responsibility of the
senior grade/stronger student in the pairing to spar at the level of their partner, or
sometimes just above it so that the partner’s level is raised.

If you do not have all the correct sparring gear then you will not be allowed to spar.
Sparring gear consists of headgear, mouthguard, gloves, breast protectors
(women), groin cup (men), and foot protectors. Groin protectors are worn on the
inside of the gi pants. Try to borrow some gear from the box in the cupboard
upstairs if you have forgotten a piece of equipment.

When putting your sparring gear on, do so as quickly and quietly as possible, and
then stand ready for the command to line up.
Other sparring etiquette includes:

● In sparring class it is very important to ensure black belts and senior grades
have a partner when told to partner up. When partnering a grade senior to yourself,
you run over to them, rather than waiting for them to come to you.
● When joining or leaving your partner always greet and shake hands to
acknowledge their help during that session.
● Should you be tagged with an effective technique it is courtesy to acknowledge
your partner with either the word maaita or mairi mashita at the end of the
combination in which that technique was landed. These were the words used
years ago in Japanese sword fights to indicate “I give up” to the opponent. Seido
Karate uses them to acknowledge both your opponent’s good technique, and as a
reminder to defend oneself better next time that technique is used against you.
● In general terms, you should always try to participate in the class prior to
sparring rather than just turning up just for the fighting.
● It is also important to ensure that when there are children in the class, that they
do not always fight each other. When sparring with children, an adult student must
find a balance between respecting the fact that they are much smaller and less
mentally and physically mature, but also not patronising them with lazy fighting -
they will not learn anything.

Social etiquette
Just as etiquette plays an important part of our training, it is also important outside
the dojo.
The principles and values of Seido Karate such as love, respect, obedience,
patience and courtesy are all transferable. Seido Karate is a Japanese style and
that is why we practise these traditions today. An example of this is when offering
or receiving any object. This could be a weapon or, in a more social environment,
a glass of beer. It is Japanese tradition to offer or accept using two hands, which
demonstrates trust and openness.

When addressing a Black Belt outside the dojo you should call them Senpai/Sensei
unless otherwise told by that person to refer to them on a first name basis.

When sitting for a meal or having drinks, it is usual to wait until Kaicho, Shihan or
your head instructor (whoever is present at the time) has started first.

Absence from the dojo

If you are going to be unable to train for a long period of time (such as three
months) you should let the instructor know so that he/she is not left wondering what
the problem is.

In this situation, if you are intending to come back to training at some point, please
make a point of speaking to our fees officer and letting them know. We are usually
happy for students to negotiate not to pay fees when they are on long absences.
However, if you are only away for a month or so (say, on holiday), you should
continue to pay your fees.

If you stop training for three months or more, it is a sign of courtesy to wear a white
belt upon your return. You will still maintain your position in the line up. By
wearing your white belt you acknowledge your absence from the dojo and at the
same time demonstrate your respect to your fellow karateka who have continued to
train during your absence. Sensei will inform you at the appropriate time when to
begin wearing your coloured belt again.

Acknowledgements: This Beginners Guide is largely based on an original put

together by Wellington Seido Karate, and in particular, Kyoshi Ben Otang. Other
information has been taken from the World Seido Karate Honbu website,
www.seido.com.